Avoiding Daycare for Grandma

    One of my goals this year was to seriously investigate plein air painting.  I have tried it in spurts in the past, struggling by myself because I was too uncomfortable to struggle in front of other artists.  This is a foolish way to approach a new learning curve, I know,  but I was also hesitant to go the workshop route.  Too many times I've signed up for a learning experience and found myself in Daycare for Grandma.

    Now this was not always the fault of the workshop provider.  It was primarily because what they were providing and what I was expecting did not mesh.  I realized, though, that if I wanted to learn through the workshop experience then I had to be very clear about what I wanted to learn.  And whether or not the workshop was the learning tool I needed.

    This past weekend I did attend a plein air workshop.  It was taught by a local artist with whom I was familiar.  I knew his work, and had talked to others so I had a good feel for his approach.  I admit to being a little uneasy with the newness of it all, but I made myself a promise to keep checking in with myself, making sure I was open to a new learning curve, and to allow myself to have fun.

    

    Three small 8 " x 10" paintings completed at Sparks Lake, with Ken Roth as the instructor.

If you look closely you will see gnats stuck in the paint - which seems to be a typical component of plein air painting. 

 

       The workshop was exactly what I needed.  I learned practical things such as how to adjust my easel, how to easily pack and transport equipment and wet paintings, and how much I could bring.  This was particularly reassuring, seeing the amount of materials that people brought: for some reason I had assumed plein air painting required you to work with six tubes of paint, one or two brushes, and a sun hat.  Funny how we make assumptions totally out of sync with reality when we don't think to ask.

    Since I had thought ahead about what I wanted to learn from my artist/teacher, I was able to share with him the areas where I found myself struggling.  Once he understood what I wanted he was able to target his instruction.  We both felt more comfortable with the interaction. 

    I won't argue that it takes time to become comfortable with something new. So preparation is key, experimenting on your own until some elements become familiar.  Think about what you want to learn, and how to approach your work and the questions you ask.  Find a workshop structure that works with your comfort levels. And have fun. 

    Besides, they don't offer you juice or graham crackers at Daycare for Grandma.

Comments

[Sue Smith]

Thanks, Joanne. I enjoy painting on location and finding the right combination of solitude and companionship is important.

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[Joanne Benson]

Lovely work created in your workshop. Glad you found a class that worked. I love to plein air and it can be intimidating if there are alot of people milling around or if you go out by yourself to a deserted location.

[sue smith]

Thanks, haven't been called "kid" for a long time. But I think you missed the point of the post. When an artist pays tuition for a learning experience it can be disappointing to find herself in a casually organized group activity that drifts along with no actual instruction. The post recognizes the fact that our expectations are better met when we invest in both research into what is being offered, and clarifying our own intentions

[dodge city girl]

Grandma's have been painting for years and years. You could learn alot from their experience and expertise. Live and learn, kid.